“It sounds unreal,” mused Alan, keeping his face to the window. “Why should he offer so much?”
“You must keep the stipulation in mind, Holt. That is an important part of the deal. You are to keep your mouth shut. Buying the range at a normal price wouldn’t guarantee it. But when you accept a sum like that, you’re a partner in the other end of the transaction, and your health depends upon keeping the matter quiet. Simple enough, isn’t it?”
Alan turned back to the table. His face was pale. He tried to keep smoke in front of his eyes. “Of course, I don’t suppose he’d allow Mrs. Graham to escape back to the States—where she might do a little upsetting on her own account?”
“He isn’t throwing the money away,” replied Rossland significantly.
“She would remain here indefinitely?”
“Indefinitely.”
“Probably never would return.”
“Strange how squarely you hit the nail on the head! Why should she return? The world believes she is dead. Papers were full of it. The little secret of her being alive is all our own. And this will be a beautiful summering place for Graham. Magnificent climate. Lovely flowers. Birds. And the girl he has watched grow up, and wanted, since she was fourteen.”
“And who hates him.”
“True.”